Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Normal, Regular, Everyday Food....

"Paige, can you just tell me exactly what you eat everyday? I want to eat just that for a month and see if I can lose some weight!" Yes, this is what I get several times a week! The problem is losing weight is a very personal journey, especially when it comes to food choices. I eat what I do because it tastes good, I enjoy it, and I picked it out myself. Not to mention, it changes from time to time. Once you decide on how many calories you're going to be consuming, then start making choices from there. I think of it like a game. I will tell you though, for the most part I know first thing in the morning what I'm eating for the entire day. I've already made those choices, have things mapped out, and I stick with it.  Obviously there are times when dinner is eaten out or other things may come up, but it's not often I don't know that ahead of time and will have planned for it.
Just to appease a few of you, here are a couple of sample menus: The first one I will share is from a while back. The second one is what I seem to be enjoying these days.


Menu #1

Breakfast: 2 egg beaters with 2 tablespoons salsa
                1/2 cup Quaker Old fashioned Oats
                1/3 cup mixed berries (I put them in the oatmeal.)
Morning Snack: 1/2 Cup Vanilla Yogurt
                         1/4 cup low-fat strawberry granola
Lunch:  1 whole wheat sandwich thin
            3-4 0z turkey breast
            1tsp of either mayo or a Greek yogurt dip I love from Costco
            Lettuce
            1 cheese stick
Afternoon Snack:  1/2 Cottage Cheese
                            10 Red grapes
Dinner:  4 0z baked chicken or turkey burger (patty only)
             2 cups broccoli
             4 oz baked sweet potato
             1 pad real butter
Bedtime Snack: 1/2 cup cottage cheese or a cheese stick

Menu #2 

Breakfast: 1 cup Kashi Go Lean Crunch
                 1/2 cup of nonfat milk
                 1 cheese stick
or 
                 Spinach Smoothie

Morning Snack: Cliff Z bar (chocolate fudge or cookie dough)

Lunch: 1 whole wheat sandwich thin
           1 Tablespoon of peanut butter (Smart Balance)
           1 small Apple

Afternoon Snack: Vanilla Greek Yogurt
                            slivered almonds

Dinner:   (Chef Salad)
               spinach
               grilled chicken
               hard boiled egg
               Feta cheese
               peppers
               Balsamic vinaigrette
Bedtime Snack: 1/2 cup cottage cheese or a cheese stick

I aim for around 1350 - 1500 calories a day.
*Depending on where my calories are at, I always keep nuts on hand to add a few extra calories to my day if needed.

Again, this is just a sample and I eat many other things I seem to enjoy. Please remember though, in order to lose weight and keep it off, you need to be selecting the foods you enjoy! It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle, right? I'm just wanting you to see that people do lose weight, large amounts of weight, just eating regular, normal everyday food in moderation. It's so doable. The biggest obstacle is just deciding to do it! 



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21 comments:

  1. So do you still aim for the same calorie range now that you are at your goal weight? Is this a problem that a lot of people run into--once they reach their goal weight they add more calories back in, but their body doesn't really need them?

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    1. Melissa, I haven't added more calories back in. For the most part I try to stick between 1350-1550.

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  2. Thanks for the menu. I think I'll try it on Lilli and kids. :)

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  3. All I can say is wow! I found you today and read back through all of your posts. I am a few weeks into this same journey and can relate on SO many levels. Thanks for the inspiration!!!

    Katherine

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    1. You're welcome Katherine. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck to you as you embark on this journey. There certainly is a network of supporters out here. :)

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  4. So inspirational! And, the meal ideas are helpful. I'm currently stuck halfway in my journey and I've beeen stuck here for two years. I lose twenty pounds throughout the year and somehow gain it back. I think part of my problem is I am eating too many calories for the amount of calorie burn I get at my sedentary desk job. I either need to up my workout time or eat less. What is your typical calorie burn?

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    1. The calorie burn can be tricky but it is key. I know you want to fuel your body with enough food so that your body will keep burning, but not too much and not too little. Are you getting exercise? That will make a difference as far as calories in and out. Best of luck to you.

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  5. I remember hearing someone say something similar. Someone in an office lost 40 pounds and they were asked what they did etc. The person telling the story said you have to find what works for you. Just because it worked for her doesn't mean it will work for you. That's so true. I'm still finding what works for me, but at least I'm thinking about it and trying different things lol.

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  6. You're amazing! Thanks for the sweet post yesterday- made my day!

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    1. Thanks Amy, and you're welcome! I enjoy dropping by. :)

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  7. Great blog! Congratulations on so much success on your journey! I look forward to more posts and inspiration. I've enjoyed reading about the foods you eat and hope you'll continue with that.

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  8. I just saw your post on Mama Laughlin blog, and I just wanted to tell you how amazing you look! Congratulations on your weight loss! You are an inspiration to many people!!!

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  9. I lost, and still losing, my weight the same weigh...working my butt off. LITERALLY!! I love to read and get ideas from what other people are eating, sometimes I think I eat the same thing b/c I know it is safe.

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  10. Paige, I think your blog is awesome!
    I'm almost done with my weight loss and this is the first time I'm doing "eat like you can for the rest of your life" not just "diet" short term and then revert.

    I know my main challenge will be keeping the weight off. I know what to do to lose weight, but I still haven't cemented "keep it off" diet and exercise lifestyle.

    So glad I found your blog! Yeah!

    I just started blogging in anticipation to the challenge of keeping the weight off: www.raeesagettingfit.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Raeesa! I'll come visit your blog too. I'm finding there is a whole world of us out here. :)

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  11. Just found your blog and fell in love with your cover photo and quote! Am trying to lose weight / learn to run with God's help! Will be following your blog for inspiration. :) Thanks for you blogging efforts!!

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    1. You're welcome! Thanks for dropping by Cyd.

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  12. Wow what an inspiration!! I am currently in my weightloss/self discovery journey and have lost 52lbs but found myself struggling, not motivated and thinking I'd be fat forever. You have inspired me to get moving again! Thanks!!

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